If you have imagined a situation wherein you are literally in the lap of luxury, surrounded by snow clad mountains and treading through knee deep snow, Kedarkantha is perhaps worth a try for you. To derive the Creator’s view and perspective of nature at its supreme best, there is no better trekking route than the Kedarkantha winter trek. Imagine being perched at an altitude which exceeds an eagle eye view and provides a panoramic canvas of the cosmic sky, lush green meadows, snowy trails, picturesque villages, cradled by scented pine forests with trees almost touching the sky and dotted around the slopes of the extensive snow clad mountain ranges with gurgling streams running through them and the chirping of birds and bees in the air.
Indulge your heart out in fun filled activities in the snow, like a snowball fight with friends or sledging through the snow or the simple joy of trudging through knee-deep snow in winters. Kedarkantha is very popular on the trekking circuit for not only the unparalleled views it provides but also for the challenges it poses on the trek itself. Although quite challenging, however, definitely not an uphill task, the Kedarkantha trail traverses its route through the thick pine forests of Govind National Park, situated at an altitude of almost more than 12,500 m above sea level.
Why Us?
We take you across routes and sights that are less known on the popular circuits except for locals and give you an experience that is unmatched. The trek itself is a challenging endeavour and what make it even more enticing is the small treats we include for creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Kedarkantha trek is a paradise for photographers allowing a trained lens to capture the planet Earth in such a resplendent form that it has never been seen before except in a fairy tale. Capture droplets of snow falling from the pine trees in such minute detail that it resembles magic dust. Witness lovely campsites along the way and even get a chance to camp around frozen Juda ka Talab, a lake which is believed to be mythologically associated with Hindu God, Shiva.
ITINERARY
Sankri – Kedarkantha – Sankri
DAY 1 : Arrive in Sankri (6400 FT , 0 Km Trek)
Report in Sankri by late afternoon. Check into Base Camp Tented accommodations or Guest house or home stay will be on sharing basis, Evening Tea Snacks and Dinner will be served.
DAY 2 : Sankri – Juda Ka Taal (9050 FT, 4 Kms Trek)
After a short walk of 10 mins on the road towards Taluka there is a small trail going up in the thick pine forest. There are small huts nearby. If in doubt ask the locals for right directions. During winters entire trail is covered with snow. So it is advisable to have mini spikes or very good grip shoes for this trail. The climb is a little steep in the beginning and will remain so till you reach Juda Ka Taal. Juda Taal is a small pond surrounded by pine forest all around. If you go there in winters you will find it frozen. Juda-Taal is a beautiful campsite and one can reach Juda Taal by lunch time. It takes around 3-4 hours to reach Juda-Tall from Sankri.
DAY 3 : Juda Ka Taal – Kedarkantha Base Camp (11200 FT, 4 Kms Trek)
The trail to Kedarkantha Base Camp is little steeper than the one you encountered yesterday. After about an hour of steep climb the forest gives way to a small meadow which during winters is a breath taking site. It is a point where the view opens up and you can have a 180 Degree view of some of Himalayan peaks like Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Black Peak. This is another place to take a short break and imbibe the beauty. It takes another 1 or 2 hours to reach the base camp of Kedarkantha. It is again very beautiful campsite where you can see all those glistening peaks when you sit near your camp in the evening.
DAY 4 : Kedarkantha Base Camp- Kedarkantha (12,500 FT)- Hargaon Camp( 8900 FT, 6Kms Trek)
Today’s summit day and we will start early in the morning before break of dawn. Whenever you go for a summit always try to make it to the summit before sunrise. The view from the summit is mesmerizing when you see those rays of rising sun kissing the mountain and those peaks changing color every passing second. Once you get over this amazing show of light and colours, try to acquaint yourself with a little knowledge of peaks all around you. There is a 360 deg view of snow clad mountains. You can see Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kinner Kailash mountain ranges from here. It’s place where once can spend endless hours but after spending a couple of hours there it’s time to head back to the camp for the night. Tonight’s campsite is Hargaon.
DAY 5 : Hargaon-Sankri- Dehradun (6 Kms Trek)
Today is the final day of the trek and it’s time to head back home. After breakfast we will start our descent to Sankri. The descent is pretty steep and one needs to take extra care in winters as those steep slopes become very slippery. It will take around 4 hours to descenddown to Sankri from Hargaon. Trip ends once we reach Sankri. For those who have booked the return transport upto Dehradun with us, the vehicle will leave immediate after we arrive in Sankri. If you are booking Dehradun- Delhi transport on the same night it is advisable that you book bus or train around 11 in the night.
Package includes
Tented Accommodation on sharing bases.
Sleeping bags and rubber mattress
All meals (Morning tea, breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea snacks and Dinner) (only veg.)
Forest entry Fees and Camping charges.
Guide Charges, Helper,Specialist trek Leader.
Safety equipment, Medical equipments (First aid)
Trekking gears includes. (Crampons, Gaiters and trekking pole if required).
Exclusion in cost during the trek
Any expense of personal nature of visitor will not be entertained from our side, and he/she will solely responsible for the same.
Off loading charges will be extra, So carry only essential items.
Transport to sankri and from sankri.
Any other trekking gear, (Shoes, Jackets etc also available on rent basis in sankri. So in place of buying you may carry on rent basis.)
Things To Carry
Original and photocopy of valid/ govt. ID cards – (Aadhar card, pan card, DL, Passport etc.)
Comfortable Backpack with good back support and accessibility (easy access).
Backpack Rain cover
Good stretchable and Quick-dry Trek Pants
Light and warm base layer thermals (Very important)
Warm and waterproof Jacket (Preferably Down Jacket with one extra layer for waterproofing)
Fleece for layer 2
Warm Socks (Preferably Merino wool. It can be used over a long period of time and stinks less).
Trekking shoe with good grip, traction and a very good non-compressible mid-sole, also available on rent in sankri
Warm and Waterproff Gloves, Warm hat, Small Daypack
Water bottles 1 litre each, Hand Sanitizer, Etc
Small Torch with extra batteries
Sunscreen Lotion, Polarized Sunglasses, Lip Balm
Personal Medical kit (We carry first aid kits but it’s good to carry a personal medical kit.)
Personal toiletry items.